Special Announcements 8/19/20

August 19, 2020

During this challenging time, information is constantly updating and changing. As a result, we will send our Viking Voice/News You Choose communication out on Wednesdays. Please be sure to scroll down to read the entire newsletter as it contains important information.

Bell Schedule

The first day of school is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

Our virtual school day for the 2020-21 school year will begin at 9:15 am and end at 4:00 pm, Tuesday - Friday. Monday’s bell schedule will begin at 9:15 am. See additional details below in the Virtual Schedule section.

Virtual Student Supply Kit

VRES has put together a basic supply kit for each student to begin the school year. We will provide a kit for PreK through 2nd grade and a kit for 3rd through 6th grade. These kits contain basic supplies needed for virtual learning including art and music. As we move forward in the school year please be advised that teachers may request additional supplies, as necessary. For the parents who pre-ordered supplies in the spring, please feel free to hold onto the supplies to be used for when the students transition back into the school building.

The Virtual Student Supply Kits will be distributed during the laptop pick-up.

Laptops

All VRES students are afforded a laptop to use for virtual instruction during the new school year. Parents must accompany their child to Door #5 (bus loop) at VRES to pick up the laptop at the designated date and time below. If you have multiple children, please be sure to stop by the school on the date designated for your oldest child and secure laptops for all of your VR children at that time. Please be advised that the check-out process may take a bit longer if you arrive with multiple children.

**UPDATE: Please use the link to fill out the parent permission form for device check out. Please bring the completed form with you. This will help expedite the process.

https://www.fcps.edu/technology-permission-forms

We will be following CDC and PPE guidelines. Please be sure to wear masks and please be advised that 6 feet social distancing will be employed.

Laptop Pick-up Schedule

**UPDATE: Students who already have a MIFI device, but are picking up a new laptop, please bring the MIFI device with you as we will need it to connect the new laptop.

Please note that this is the first time that we are distributing laptops to all students. As a result, we ask for your patience and understanding as the process may need to be tweaked as we proceed with laptop distributions over the course of the month. Thank you for your patience in advance!

It is highly suggested that your child uses an FCPS laptop for virtual learning. If you choose not to use an FCPS laptop, please be advised that our school will not be able to provide technical support.

Student 2019-2020 Belongings

If you did not come and pick-up your 2019-2020 student belongings, they will be available for you when you come to pick up your laptop. This will be your last opportunity to collect last year's belongings. Anything left will be discarded. Please notify staff that you need your belongings when you arrive.

Virtual Schedule

Monday - Teachers will instruct students on Mondays. Students will be required to login and participate in learning beginning at 9:15 am. The amount of synchronous learning time will vary depending on student needs. Teachers will stay in close communication with students and parents regarding synchronous and asynchronous learning plans for Mondays.

Tuesday-Friday – Students will follow a full virtual schedule including all core subjects, specials, specialized instruction, as well as lunch and family time. Our master schedule is still a work in progress and will be shared with parents once it has been finalized.

Virtual Welcome Walk
Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Prior to COVID-19, VRES was planning to have a combined Welcome Walk and Back-to-School event. As a result of the numerous changes including the health challenges we are experiencing, the format and structure of the Welcome Walk has been updated for the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families.   

For the 20-21 school year, VRES will host a Virtual Welcome Walk. All students will receive a communication from their teacher on Monday, August 30th. The teacher will provide directions for the Virtual Welcome Walk including the specific time students should plan to connect with their teacher online via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (BBCU). All teachers will connect with their students on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 during the Virtual Welcome Walk. If your child is unable to connect with your teacher at the time requested, please contact your child’s teacher directly to request another date and time to meet with your teacher. We know how much the Welcome Walk means to everyone and we appreciate your flexibility as we make the safest decisions for all. Thank you for your understanding!

Since we are hosting a Virtual Welcome Walk, we will be required to have a Back-to-School Night this fall. Once this date has been selected, we will inform our school community. 

Public Library Equity Access Pass

As part of the One Fairfax initiative, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL), and FCPS Library Information Services have partnered in the Library Equity Access Pass (LEAP) pilot program.

On October 1, 2020 the LEAP program will go division-wide, providing FCPS PreK-12 students with public library checkout privileges for books automatically, without the need to register for a physical library card.  Student names and ID numbers will be provided to FCPL through an automated data download.  Families who do not wish to participate shall select the opt-out for LEAP in the 2020-21 SR&R document.

Participating in the LEAP program provides: 

• The ability to checkout up to three public library books at a time.  At any FCPL library branch, students or parents simply share their name and indicated they are an FCPS student.  A virtual account exists and identification is not required. 
• Lost or overdue books will not be charged a fine or replacement fee.  However, only three books can be on a virtual account at a time.
• Checkouts are limited to physical books.  eBooks and public library digital resources cannot be accessed through this account.  Students are welcome to establish a standard public library card for full access.

The Fairfax County Public Library is open for Express services and offers curbside checkout.   FCPL has provided this flyer to share with families.

LOW COST INTERNET

As we continue to navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cox Communications has been constantly working to identify ways we can support the communities we serve. With distance learning being a critical component in education for the forseeable future we want to ensure every student has access to the internet without cost being a barrier.

Cox has announced new customers that qualify will receive Connect2Compete, the company's low-cost internet, for two months at no cost.  New customers must sign up between July 21 and September 30 for free service, which also includes free technical support.  We ask for your help in sharing this information with constituents and the community through your communication platforms.

A summary of enhancements and benefits of Cox's Connect2Compete program include: 

• 2 months of free Connect2Compete service and remote desktop and phone support through Cox Complete Care for eligible new customers who apply between July 21 and September 30, $9.95/month thereafter
• Easy referral for discounted, refurbished equipment through PCs for People
• Student and family access to the Cox Digital Academy, which provides computer literacy training and educational resources for students
• Free WiFi modem rental
• Access to over 3M+ Cox Hotspots nationwide

This summer, Cox announced a new digital learning platform available to Connect2Compete customers to keep kids engaged in academics this summer.  MyFuture is The Boys & Girls Club of America's digital platform that empowers children and teens to learn new skills, share accomplishments and earn recognition and rewards via gamification in a safe and fun online environment. Customers can easily access this tool in Cox's Digital Academy, an online learning platform full of computer literacy tips, educational videos, tutorials and interactive games.

The Cox Connect2Compete program is available to families who:

• Have at least one child that is a K-12 student at home
• Participate in one of these government subsidies programs: The National School Lunch Program, SNAP, TANF, Head Start, WIC, LIHEAP, or Public Housing 

Families can qualify for Connect2Compete easily from anywhere whether on their mobile device or desktop by visiting  www.cox.com/c2c.

To help parents help their children learn from home, Cox has provided several tips and resources available on the company's content hub Converge.  Click here to learn more.

For more information on Cox's coronavirus relief efforts, visit www.cox.com.

Free School Physicals

Free school physicals are being offered to uninsured NEW Fairfax County Public School students in grades pre-kindergarten through 6th grade.

Physicals are being offered on August 20 and August 27 at the INOVA Cares Clinic for Children, 6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 200, Falls Church, VA 22042.

Appointments are REQUIRED. Call 703-698-2550 to schedule your appointment today!

**To ensure social distancing, just the child and one parent should attend.

**Mask are required for all participants.

Please click the link below to see the flyer in English and in Spanish.

Free School Physical Flyer

Other Programs and Resources:

Supporting Return to School:

2020 SRS Fall Flyer - English

2020 SRS Fall Flyer - Spanish

Behavioral Support:

FCPS Behavior Intervention Services Flyer

Legal Services:

Legal Services of Northern Virginia Flyer

15450 Martins Hundred Dr, Centreville, VA 20120  | Main Office: 703.988-8900

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